Ok, so... Ed Sheeran's album finally arrived. And, everyone's listening to it. No, seriously, the chart is currently full of Ed Sheeran. Divide has had a massive impact, and at the moment, Divide has taken the top 17 positions on the chart. All 17 songs are being listened to more than the Chainsmokers, Stormzy and Jax Jones. So, for this week, we'll be looking at a top 10 dominated by Ed Sheeran. So, don't expect me to name the artist. You know who I'm talking about. As well, for one week only, I shan't be ranking the songs myself. And this is for one simple reason: I can't make a decision as to what to put where. Normally, its easy: there's stuff I like and stuff I don't. But here, I don't know what to put where, because I love Sheeran's stuff equally. It's hard enough deciding whether Shape Of You or Castle On The Hill should top the chart every week. So this week is based purely off the Spotify chart. That's it. Not my own personal order, just the chart. Also, my thoughts for all but three of the songs will be brief, as I want to do a full album review at some point. This week's will be brief, but all the rules go out the window on a week like this. So, we begin with:
10. Supermarket Flowers
From the moment that this song starts, you know you are going to have your heart-broken. Ed has a wonderfully lyrical voice, with a beautiful register and tone. And this is possibly one of the strongest examples of that: it's a horribly beautiful piece that is genuinely heart-breaking, with fantastic melodies and a strong, but never overpowering baseline. It's a great piece from start to finish, and a perfect example of Sheeran at his best.
9. How Would You Feel (Paean)
I still have no idea why this song's second title is 'Paean'... but this is fantastic. I love the elegant melodies and beautiful rhythm of the piece - no wonder this was chosen as a single. The lyrics are fantastic. They're dripping with emotion, weight and meaning, and I love the simple subject matter that they deal with. It's a proper love ballad, through and through, and Sheeran makes no concessions as such. He just wants to tell a love story, and he certainly achieves that here. I certainly adore the simple baseline, that never overpowers or seems like it's too much. Lots of modern love songs try to compensate for being hollow and insubstantial by masking it behind lots of effects, so that the listener is tricked into thinking that they have some kind of 'deep meaning'. But Sheeran isn't like that: he isn't concerned with masking anything, just with producing good music. And he certainly does that here, with a fantastic song that feels real and powerful. It's a shame this, as a single, never reached the giddy heights of Castle On The Hill and Shape Of You, as it's possibly superior to those two already outstanding efforts. And that's high praise indeed.
8. What Do I Know?
Sometimes I ask myself this very question. Sheeran is singing this time about the state of the world, and how music has the power to change the world. This is the type of song that hasn't been heard in the charts for years... and I mean years. This is the sort of stuff that Bob Dylan was singing about back in the 60's, and it takes a lot from the protest genre that Dylan made popular. Most pop songs nowadays that try to 'have a point' are carefully controlled tools that don't really say anything of consequence. And sure, there are points where that's the case, but I think Sheeran has mostly avoided that trap to produce a catchy, upbeat piece of empowerment. A nice, gentle song about the need to change this.
7. Dive
Ok, I never believed that I would be saying this... but Sheeran has made a sex jam. Ok, the lyrics aren't the sort of thing that you'd 'do it' to, but the beat conforms to all the hallmarks. Yep, it does. Now, I hate songs like this, they're just made for people to... well, have sex to. That means they normally have no substance at all. However, this is fairly decent, with a story about someone worried that they're being led on by the person they're seeing. Instrumental wise, it's almost as good as anything else on the album, although it is a little hampered by the electric guitar which has been added on top of the acoustic guitar. Still, an Ed Sheeran sex jam is going to be much better than any other sex jam.
6. Happier
This song honestly reminds me of Cyndi Lauper's True Colors. I think it's something to do with the melodies, I think they might be pulled from that. Honestly, however, I think this is possibly better than that, because the lyrics on this are to die for. Seriously, they are fantastic. I love the rising beat, and the build up to the rousing finale that manages to feel perfectly placed to deliver the maximum emotional impact. And it's not a brag anthem! It's about a break-up, but it doesn't just tell a one-sided story. Rather, it's someone they were admitting they were wrong to do the things that they did, and they're glad the other person escaped. It's a beautiful song, and I love it. Not really much more to say.
5. Perfect
Another love song, but one that doesn't feel overwrought or soppy. Perfect is less of a love ballad, and more of a slow jam, but one that feels perfectly judged. In the same vein as Lego House or Thinking Of You, there's something very special about this song that's hard to elaborate on. The chorus is one of the strongest for a Sheeran song that I've heard, and I love the simple nature of the message. A triumph from start to finish.
4. New Man
In contrast to most of the album (although not the singles released so far), this has a much more upbeat tempo. I think it makes a lovely contrast, and it shows the total range of Sheeran's voice. It's almost rap at points, but not quite, because it's a bit more skilfully controlled. I like the way this is a totally different breakup anthem to Happier - it's much more angsty, but without being over the top and irritating. A lovely companion piece to Happier, with a strong beat and strong vocals.
3. Castle On The Hill
Now, of course, this song's been out for quite some time, but I don't think that's any great detriment upon this song. On the contrary, this song's longevity has been one of it's highlights. It's such a simple song, about the innocence of youth, about returning home to find everything's changed, about that feeling of returning to a place you haven't seen in years. Now, anyone can produce a song about those topics, but Sheeran manages to make it feel real. You're going through the experiences with him, and I think that's such a powerful image to have. Now, of course, Sheeran is a musical master, and while his lyrics and voice would be enough to sell this, he is aided by a fantastic beat and some excellent melodies that provide an excellent instrumental for this song. Castle On The Hill is one of the strongest songs of the year, and I think it's possibly a little bit of a minor classic, since it's mostly been overshadowed by Shape Of You. Fantastic.
2. Galway Girl
Why wasn't this released as a single? This is fantastic! It's electronic, mixed with Irish river-dance, mixed with a wonderful acoustic sound. It shouldn't, by rights, work... but oh my God, it does! It's upbeat, slow, different and familiar all at the same time. It's simply about an Irish girl who has a one-night stand with Ed, and I love it's simplicity. It isn't pretentious about anything, just tells it like it is. And I love it. It's melody is simple, allowing it's barrage of styles to come together, and it doesn't outstay it's welcome either. It's nice and short, and it just works. Simply magical.
1. Shape Of You
Of course this was going to be here. Shape Of You is undoubtedly Sheeran's greatest hit, and it's not hard to see why. It has such a relaxed feel to it in every element of production: the writing, the vocals, the melodies, the beat, everything just feels so relaxed and chilled. The story of simple physical attraction is wonderfully told, and it never amounts to anything more than it purports to be. I know I keep saying this about Sheeran, about his storytelling, but it is true - he does tell a story with his music. Each song is like a little short story that paints a world perfectly, but never outstays it's welcome. This is helped by Sheeran's voice, which, like every song on this list, is just phenomenal. He has an amazing instrument, and is totally in command of that instrument. That his songs have possibly the best production values on the chart is another positive. Sheeran has many different styles, all of which are executed successfully, and Shape Of You is the ultimate proof of that. It's hard to say anything about this that I haven't said in the 9 previous songs, and it's the reason why I can't rank them individually. The crowning glory in the career of one of the best artist's of the past decade. Simply amazing.
So, to run down the chart once more:
1. Shape Of You
2. Galway Girl
3. Castle On The Hill
4. New Man
5. Perfect
6. Happier
7. Dive
8. What Do I Know?
9. How Would You Feel (Paean)
10. Supermarket Flowers
Join me next week, when I expect normal, moody service to resume... Unfortunately...
10. Supermarket Flowers
From the moment that this song starts, you know you are going to have your heart-broken. Ed has a wonderfully lyrical voice, with a beautiful register and tone. And this is possibly one of the strongest examples of that: it's a horribly beautiful piece that is genuinely heart-breaking, with fantastic melodies and a strong, but never overpowering baseline. It's a great piece from start to finish, and a perfect example of Sheeran at his best.
9. How Would You Feel (Paean)
I still have no idea why this song's second title is 'Paean'... but this is fantastic. I love the elegant melodies and beautiful rhythm of the piece - no wonder this was chosen as a single. The lyrics are fantastic. They're dripping with emotion, weight and meaning, and I love the simple subject matter that they deal with. It's a proper love ballad, through and through, and Sheeran makes no concessions as such. He just wants to tell a love story, and he certainly achieves that here. I certainly adore the simple baseline, that never overpowers or seems like it's too much. Lots of modern love songs try to compensate for being hollow and insubstantial by masking it behind lots of effects, so that the listener is tricked into thinking that they have some kind of 'deep meaning'. But Sheeran isn't like that: he isn't concerned with masking anything, just with producing good music. And he certainly does that here, with a fantastic song that feels real and powerful. It's a shame this, as a single, never reached the giddy heights of Castle On The Hill and Shape Of You, as it's possibly superior to those two already outstanding efforts. And that's high praise indeed. 8. What Do I Know?
Sometimes I ask myself this very question. Sheeran is singing this time about the state of the world, and how music has the power to change the world. This is the type of song that hasn't been heard in the charts for years... and I mean years. This is the sort of stuff that Bob Dylan was singing about back in the 60's, and it takes a lot from the protest genre that Dylan made popular. Most pop songs nowadays that try to 'have a point' are carefully controlled tools that don't really say anything of consequence. And sure, there are points where that's the case, but I think Sheeran has mostly avoided that trap to produce a catchy, upbeat piece of empowerment. A nice, gentle song about the need to change this.
7. Dive
Ok, I never believed that I would be saying this... but Sheeran has made a sex jam. Ok, the lyrics aren't the sort of thing that you'd 'do it' to, but the beat conforms to all the hallmarks. Yep, it does. Now, I hate songs like this, they're just made for people to... well, have sex to. That means they normally have no substance at all. However, this is fairly decent, with a story about someone worried that they're being led on by the person they're seeing. Instrumental wise, it's almost as good as anything else on the album, although it is a little hampered by the electric guitar which has been added on top of the acoustic guitar. Still, an Ed Sheeran sex jam is going to be much better than any other sex jam.
6. Happier
This song honestly reminds me of Cyndi Lauper's True Colors. I think it's something to do with the melodies, I think they might be pulled from that. Honestly, however, I think this is possibly better than that, because the lyrics on this are to die for. Seriously, they are fantastic. I love the rising beat, and the build up to the rousing finale that manages to feel perfectly placed to deliver the maximum emotional impact. And it's not a brag anthem! It's about a break-up, but it doesn't just tell a one-sided story. Rather, it's someone they were admitting they were wrong to do the things that they did, and they're glad the other person escaped. It's a beautiful song, and I love it. Not really much more to say.
5. Perfect
Another love song, but one that doesn't feel overwrought or soppy. Perfect is less of a love ballad, and more of a slow jam, but one that feels perfectly judged. In the same vein as Lego House or Thinking Of You, there's something very special about this song that's hard to elaborate on. The chorus is one of the strongest for a Sheeran song that I've heard, and I love the simple nature of the message. A triumph from start to finish.
4. New Man
In contrast to most of the album (although not the singles released so far), this has a much more upbeat tempo. I think it makes a lovely contrast, and it shows the total range of Sheeran's voice. It's almost rap at points, but not quite, because it's a bit more skilfully controlled. I like the way this is a totally different breakup anthem to Happier - it's much more angsty, but without being over the top and irritating. A lovely companion piece to Happier, with a strong beat and strong vocals.
3. Castle On The Hill
Now, of course, this song's been out for quite some time, but I don't think that's any great detriment upon this song. On the contrary, this song's longevity has been one of it's highlights. It's such a simple song, about the innocence of youth, about returning home to find everything's changed, about that feeling of returning to a place you haven't seen in years. Now, anyone can produce a song about those topics, but Sheeran manages to make it feel real. You're going through the experiences with him, and I think that's such a powerful image to have. Now, of course, Sheeran is a musical master, and while his lyrics and voice would be enough to sell this, he is aided by a fantastic beat and some excellent melodies that provide an excellent instrumental for this song. Castle On The Hill is one of the strongest songs of the year, and I think it's possibly a little bit of a minor classic, since it's mostly been overshadowed by Shape Of You. Fantastic. 2. Galway Girl
Why wasn't this released as a single? This is fantastic! It's electronic, mixed with Irish river-dance, mixed with a wonderful acoustic sound. It shouldn't, by rights, work... but oh my God, it does! It's upbeat, slow, different and familiar all at the same time. It's simply about an Irish girl who has a one-night stand with Ed, and I love it's simplicity. It isn't pretentious about anything, just tells it like it is. And I love it. It's melody is simple, allowing it's barrage of styles to come together, and it doesn't outstay it's welcome either. It's nice and short, and it just works. Simply magical.
1. Shape Of You
Of course this was going to be here. Shape Of You is undoubtedly Sheeran's greatest hit, and it's not hard to see why. It has such a relaxed feel to it in every element of production: the writing, the vocals, the melodies, the beat, everything just feels so relaxed and chilled. The story of simple physical attraction is wonderfully told, and it never amounts to anything more than it purports to be. I know I keep saying this about Sheeran, about his storytelling, but it is true - he does tell a story with his music. Each song is like a little short story that paints a world perfectly, but never outstays it's welcome. This is helped by Sheeran's voice, which, like every song on this list, is just phenomenal. He has an amazing instrument, and is totally in command of that instrument. That his songs have possibly the best production values on the chart is another positive. Sheeran has many different styles, all of which are executed successfully, and Shape Of You is the ultimate proof of that. It's hard to say anything about this that I haven't said in the 9 previous songs, and it's the reason why I can't rank them individually. The crowning glory in the career of one of the best artist's of the past decade. Simply amazing.So, to run down the chart once more:
1. Shape Of You
2. Galway Girl
3. Castle On The Hill
4. New Man
5. Perfect
6. Happier
7. Dive
8. What Do I Know?
9. How Would You Feel (Paean)
10. Supermarket Flowers
Join me next week, when I expect normal, moody service to resume... Unfortunately...
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